Restaurants offering holiday deals to boost sales

To entice shoppers, chains are increasing their advertising during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, offering freebies to customers who take a break from the stores and giving discounts to anyone who buys a gift card from the restaurant.

Denny's Corp., for example, is offering a $5 gift card to the restaurant if you purchase $25 worth of cards. The company also advertised its current value promotions during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the National Football League games the same day and several college football rivalry games over the weekend to bring in more customers.

"We really are trying to hit the family and the gatherings to remind people that Denny's is an incredible value," said Chief Executive Nelson Marchioli, adding that the chains--like all restaurant chains these days--will be "under a lot of pressure" to boost sales during the holiday season.

"Every restaurant company is going to be pressed this year for providing value and dealing with what very well could be less customers," he said.

Restaurants have been hurting for months as consumers have cut back on eating out to save money. Fast-food restaurants have been somewhat insulated from the slower spending because they offer food at far lower prices. But at casual dining chains, where menu prices are higher, consumers' new spend-wary habits have led to falling sales and profits.

In October, same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, dropped 6 percent with traffic falling about 8 percent, according to Knapp-Track, which collects monthly sales data from more than 10,000 sit-down restaurants. Some restaurants--including Ruth's Chris Steakhouse owner Ruth's Hospitality Inc.--reported steep double-digit drops for the month, as turmoil in the financial markets kept consumers eating at home.

November's sales numbers have yet to be released, but analysts and industry-watchers are largely forecasting more of the same.

The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas offers a possible reprieve for restaurant chains, particularly those located in or around a mall.

"If ever there is a time to actually step up and communicate not only the brand but also the value offerings associated with it, it is now," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research at the National Restaurant Association.